In response to a statement from the Tourism Minister, Nigel Huddleston MP, in the House of Commons, High Peak MP Robert Largan spoke up on behalf of local events organisers.

Step 4 of the Government’s Roadmap has been delayed until Monday 19 July, causing uncertainty for many events organisers planning ahead for the summer. 

The High Peak MP raised the concerns of local people, asking:

“I am excited to tell the House that the world-famous Buxton International festival will be going ahead from 8 July, as will the fantastic Buxton Fringe alongside it, and Eat in the Park later in the year. Unfortunately, not all events locally are as fortunate. The fantastic Hope show, one of the UK’s biggest and best agricultural shows, has already had to be cancelled, and it is still uncertain whether the Y Not festival, which is due to take place at the end of July, can go ahead. These incredibly important local events are the lifeblood of our local economy, but they take a long time to plan, with large up-front costs. I urge the Minister to pull out all the stops to restore confidence in the events sector, including looking at an indemnity scheme, so that we can look forward to a great British summer of events.”

The Tourism Minister recognised Robert’s passion for local events in his response:

“My hon. Friend is clearly passionate about the events sector and has a large number of events planned in his constituency, which is fantastic. Some of them are able to go ahead—that is great; I encourage them to do so, obviously within existing guidance and by talking to local public health. Later in the year—as soon as we possibly can—it is absolutely our ambition to open up far more events at much greater scale, and we will provide guidance that will help enable them to do that.”

Robert Largan MP commented:

“Local festivals and events are so important to social life and communal pride in the High Peak. It is so disappointing to hear about the difficulties many local events organisers are experiencing right now. 

“As a Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, I will always stand up for our events industry, which has such an important part to play in the economic and cultural recovery from the pandemic.”